Sven- The Deadly Mantis (1957)

 

A long frozen prehistoric insect is unleashed after a volcano explodes.  This mantis is 200" long and hungry.  It flies south from the North Pole attacking outposts and planes along the way.  Experts and military personnel are called in to figure out what is going on.  The only clue they have is a piece of a claw spur.  There are a few more shenanigans, plus the obligatory romance, with several men vying for Marge's attention.  The bug ends up in Washington DC, atop the Washington Monument.  Eventually, it is wounded and flies into the Manhattan Tunnel, where the army finishes it off.

Boy, this movie is as much of a clone as The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms as it could be.  The movie doesn't run 80 minutes, which is to it's credit.  It was the first monster movie Nathan Juran directed, and he would go on to do better films.  The mantis prop was full sized, made of paper mache, which is pretty cool.  It looks good.  There are a smaller models as well, and a real mantis was used for long shots.  It isn't a bad movie, but it isn't great.  I didn't even remember William Hopper being in it.

Next week: The Ghost and Mr. Chicken